End of Year 2002-2003

The Faculty of the Counseling Department have set the following goals for the 2002-2003 academic year:

Goal 1 - A "Caring Community"

This goal was unanimously re-adopted at our Summer 2002 departmental
retreat. We are committed to the enhancement and on-going development of our caring community - this includes our caring for each other, our students, and others who are outside of the department. Caring for each other this year will involve helping each other renew our individual and collective energies, remain connected, and to maintain our commitment to safeguard ourselves (the department) from new initiatives (a recommendation of our external evaluators). Additionally, Dr. Dandeneau proposed that the "Lessons from Geese" by Ariel Arrien be identified as the departmental theme for the year. The lessons emphasize: the efficiency of a common direction/purpose; the value of working together; sharing leadership and being interdependent; and, the importance of encouragement and helping one another. The theme was wholeheartedly endorsed.
This goal was challenged during the 2003-2004 academic year by the various personnel decision needing to be made by the department. Differences amongst the group surfaced and those differences caused friction and some withdrawal from the departmental caring community. While these differences were present, they did not affect the workings of the department. However, at the Summer 2003 retreat “unfinished business” was examined and processed and plans for working through similar differences in the future were developed.

Goal 2 - Student Review, Admission, and Scheduling

Goal 2a - Student Review
Last academic year the department implemented a comprehensive student review process. The department has agreed to continue that process for this coming academic year. The goal for this year is to refine, streamline, and make any necessary improvements to the process, specifically to aligin it with the University candidacy review process.
The completion of student reviews this academic year was not timely. The changes in clerical staff made the usual time frame impossible. The reviews were completed in June instead of the usual December. Feedback regarding the terminology used in the letters was received from students. This feedback will be used by faculty to revise the letters.

Goal 2b - Admission
The department will continue to streamline the student admission processes. The external reviewers recommended that the department divide some of the tasks so that all faculty are not involved in all aspect of admissions. Given the workload involved with the admission process, particularly in the summer, the department has requested that Dr.Dandeneau explore with the Dean of the College of Education and Educational Technology and other campus constituents, namely the Dean of Graduate School and Research, the feasibility of changing the admission deadline/workshops. The basic proposal includes: conducting only one admission workshop in the summer for Monroeville and eliminating the campus workshop; and, moving the dates of the other admission workshops to early in the year (November and April instead of December and May).

The faculty agreed that this goal has been met. The admission process is streamlined and our selection process is working quite well. With the University emphasis on enrollment, upon consultation with the Dean, Dr. Dandeneau recommended to the department that the campus summer admission be continued.

Goal 2c - Scheduling
I. There are two scheduling goals for the academic year. The first focuses
on the issue that scheduling of clinical/practicum courses is problematic. Often students needing courses to graduate are unable to register for them. The department has resolved to find a resolution for this. The department will work with the registrar's office to try and "stair-step" scheduling so that the students with the most credits can register first.

The request was brought forth to the troubleshooting committee by Dr. Janet Fontaine. It was scheduled to be completed by the TSC, but the priority was low – approximately 64 on the list.

II. The second goal focuses on the recommendation of the external reviewers
to develop a "fixed schedule" that would ease student planning of course progression through the program. A sub-committee (Dr. Dandeneau, Dr. Guth, Dr. Rishel and a member of the student organization, CESA) will develop several static calendar options and present their recommendations to the faculty. The faculty will then work to a final consensus decision regarding the schedule.

Beginning work was done on the fixed schedule by Drs. Rishel, Guth and Dandeneau. There was not consensus that a permanent fixed schedule was the “best solution” for departmental needs. This goal will be re-fashioned for the 2003-2004 academic year.

Goal 3 - Maintain Faculty FTE
The faculty anticipates the retirement of Dr. John Worzbyt at the end of Summer 2003. The department is concerned that the University planning that calls for the elimination of 29 faculty positions could include his position. The department chair, Dr. Dandeneau, will work closely with Dr. Butzow to advocate on behalf of that position being maintained within the department. With successful retention of the position, a departmental search committee will be formed to fill the position. The position would start in the Fall 2003. Should the department not be successful in keeping the faculty FTE, then Dr. Dandeneau will address with faculty the feasibility of maintaining the operation of a school certification program and present the departmental recommendations to the Dean.

With the support of Dean Butzow, we have a pending approval to begin the search for Dr. Worzbyt’s position. In the interim, Dr. Worzbyt will work as an annuitant and will be teaching three courses in both the Fall ’03 and Spring ’04

Goal 4 - Curriculum

Goal 4a

Respond to the need for Field Experience for the MA degree to be moved to a 600-hour experience. The rules and regulations as developed by the licensure board call for this to be completed by 2007 and that subsequent 6 credits of practicum/internship will suffice. The department goal is to monitor and track developments in this area as necessary.

The curriculum committee moved this change through the University process and it was approved in late Spring. Goal 4b
Several classes, which have been offered under the temporary COUN 681 prefix need to be moved through the University curriculum process to have them institutionalized. A sub-committee (Drs. McCarthy, L'Amoreaux, Rishel, and Guth) has been developed to champion four classes through the curriculum process. The classes are: Family Issues in Counseling; Wellness Issues in Counseling; Diagnostic Issues in Counseling; and Human Sexuality Issues in Counseling.

The four classes were approved through the College of Education and Educational Technology and were forwarded to the Graduate Committee of the Senate. There were some concerns raised by the Psychology Department because they have similar courses, particularly Family Therapy and a Diagnostic-type Course. Drs. McCarthy and Dandeneau met with Dr. Mary Lou Zanich to discuss the issues of concern. To date, no further word has been heard from the Psychology Department. Also, an email was sent to the Health and Physical Education department for their feedback with respect to the Wellness Course.

Goal 5 - In-Service and Professional Development Outreach

Under the leadership of Dr. McCarthy the department will continue to offer workshops (credit and non-credit) designed to facilitate a response to the growing need of counseling professionals for CEU's and/or credits to meet Pennsylvania Department of Education Act 48 standards or PA licensure standards. The target goals are to have a workshop in the Pittsburgh area in the Fall, and a workshop in the Indiana area in the Spring.

The department continued to offer two workshops; one in the Fall (campus) and the other in the Spring (Monroeville).

Goal 6 - Enhancement of the Monroeville Program

We will seek to enhance and improve: 1.) the working relationship with the Director of Off-Campus Studies; 2.) the clinical facilities available at the site; 3.) the policies with respect to practicum and internship; and 4.) the departmental interaction/interface with the Monroeville students.

1.) The semi-monthly meetings held with Paula Sandusky have been quite helpful in building and maintaining a good working relationship with the GSR.

3.) Developing the policies and procedures for the practicum and internship are is still in progress. Internship issues for Monroeville were handled in conjunction with the campus internship experience. This is progressing nicely. Details for the practicum experience are still evolving.

4.) The faculty met with the Monroeville students for a discussion forum. While the student attendance was low the faculty participation was high, this year’s forum provided the faculty with very good feedback and ideas for building better connections. These ideas will be developed over the coming year. Goal 7 - Clinical Space
We will continue to coordinate the usage of the clinical space that includes collaboration with the Educational Psychology department. Additionally, we will explore with the help of the COE-ET Dean's Office and the Graduate School and Research the possibility of obtaining external/internal monies for the development of the departmental clinical space. Drs. Guth and Dandeneau will complete a foundation/grant proposal for distribution to possible funding sources.

Through the efforts of Drs. Dandeneau and Guth an internal proposal was put forth for the available University Technology Fee Funds. A total of $78,434 was awarded for the digital clinical training facility. Space was re-allocated for the housing of the training facility. It will be housed in Room 224.

Goal 8 - PDE/NCATE Review

We will work in conjunction with Associate Dean John Johnson in the support of the College's efforts to prepare for both the Pennsylvania Department of Education and the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education upcoming reviews.
The report for PDE was completed and turned into the Associate Dean’s office. The overall NCATE review was postponed and work on it continues.

Goal 9 - Advisory Board

Maintaining an energized and meaningful connection to our alumni important to the department. We will work to enhance our utilization of our alumni to support and improve departmental curriculum and facilitate the department's ability to, not only maintain the status quo, but challenge the department to "think outside the box" and be on the cutting edge of counselor training and preparation. Focus will be on: developing a tracking system for surveying alumni, creating fundraising initiatives, and begin planning for the 40th year Departmental Anniversary in 2006.
The work of the Advisory Board continues. They have nominated a small sub-group that will work with Dr. Dandeneau on fundraising. Due to member attrition, the Board needed to nominate additional members. The process of application was developed and new members will be added this coming year.